Healing Dr. Fortune by JUDY DUARTE Read Free Book Online

Bernardo’s, the new Italian restaurant that just opened up a few blocks down the street from Red. That is, if Kirsten doesn’t mind.”
    â€œBernardo’s sounds good to me.” She offered him a breezy smile, then grabbed her purse from a small tablenear the door. “I’ll see you later, Max. You can call me if you have a problem with Anthony.”
    â€œI’ll be okay.”
    Good, because Jeremy was looking forward to put ting some distance between them. What was that guy’s problem?
    Jeremy opened the door, then followed Kirsten out of the house. Moments later, they were in his rental car and headed into town for dinner.
    â€œI’m afraid I need to apologize for my brother’s rude ness,” Kirsten said. “His life has been turned upside down, so he’s been a little testy with everyone lately.”
    â€œNo apology necessary.”
    â€œI know. But…” She pursed her lips. “I guess everyone has their cross to bear. And Max is mine.”
    Jeremy wasn’t sure why she felt that way. “How old is he? Twenty-four?”
    â€œActually, he’s twenty-six.”
    â€œThen I’d say it’s probably time for him to move on and make a life of his own.”
    â€œI wish it were that easy.” Kirsten glanced out her window at the passing scenery, then back to Jeremy. “He’s between jobs, so I can’t very well boot him out into the street. And now that he has Anthony…”
    â€œI can see how that would complicate things.” Jeremy had a strong sense of family loyalty, too, so he under stood why she was supportive of Max. “How’s it working out?”
    â€œIt’s been tough.” She gave a half shrug. “But there’snot much I can do about it until he lands another job and can move out.”
    â€œWhat kind of position is he looking for?”
    â€œAnything at this point. I think he wants to move as badly as I’d like to see him go. But he doesn’t have a high school diploma, which limits his options when it comes to finding something that will pay the rent, and now he has day-care expenses to cover.”
    â€œThat’s too bad.”
    â€œI know.” She took a deep breath, then sighed softly. “I tried to talk him into getting his GED and picking up some college courses, but he refused to even consider it.”
    â€œWhy?”
    â€œI’m afraid it was probably because I suggested it.” She rested her hands on top of the small black purse that sat in her lap. “And because he’s never been particularly ambitious. After he dropped out of high school, he just drifted from job to job for one reason or another.”
    â€œIn that case, you might not be doing him any favors by letting him stay with you.”
    â€œActually, two years ago he was hired on at the feed store and was able to keep that one until a couple weeks ago. He really seemed to like it, but when the new management took over, they laid everyone off, and Max was back at square one.”
    Jeremy was glad to see that her brother had managed to hold a job, but he couldn’t understand why the guy wouldn’t try to take the GED exam or improve his chances of getting a better paying position.
    He knew he should keep his thoughts to himself, but he said, “Maybe, if he won’t take your advice, it might be time for you to back off and let him captain his own ship, even if it has leaks.”
    â€œI’m sure you’re right. But my biggest fault is that I tend to think with my heart more than my head.”
    Learning that bit of news about Kirsten probably ought to throw up a red flag for a guy who’d always been methodical and rational, but Jeremy found it appealing that she had a soft heart. Maybe because she reminded him of his mother in that way.
    Molly Fortune had been the one to encourage Jeremy to follow his dream and go to medical school. Not that anyone had